Repetitive questions
“When are we going out?” A reasonable question under normal circumstances. But if the person you care for has dementia, you may get this question multiple times in an hour. Aargh! Indeed, repetitive questions are one of the top irritants mentioned by family caregivers whose loved one has dementia. The repetitive questioning isn’t done […]
Watching for financial abuse
Financial abuse of elders is shockingly common. Research shows that annually about one in ten older adults in the United States reports abuse, and the true number is likely much higher. Financial abuse makes up the majority. It occurs when someone takes, uses, or controls an older adult’s money or property without clear or legal […]
Solutions to hearing loss
Roughly 67% of adults over age seventy have hearing loss significant enough to warrant the use of hearing aids. But many elders resist the idea. Your loved one may believe there are no good options for correcting their hearing. In fact, there are more options than ever. The current generation of hearing aids bears […]
Preparing for in-home care
Initiating in-home help for a loved one sets up a big change. You know support is needed, you’ve reached out for help, and now you wonder, Are we ready? That’s a good question! It’s wise to do some up-front preparation. When possible, involve your relative in the process. Open communication helps them feel respected and […]
What is an occupational therapist?
Eating, dressing, getting in and out of a chair. In the course of daily life, we use many skills to accomplish even “simple” tasks. Walking or using a fork is surprisingly complex. Nerve signals and muscles have to coordinate in a very specific order. A healthy body is a marvel! We take these skills […]
Mealtime and dementia
The effects of dementia include changes to the way foods taste and smell. A person with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive impairment may become unable to recognize foods or to know if they are hungry or full. Even the seemingly simple mechanics of fork and spoon or chewing and swallowing often become too complicated. Make […]
Helping a loved one pay bills
Is your relative no longer paying bills on time? Perhaps you’ve noticed an overdue utility bill, a missed insurance notice, a stack of unopened mail. These can add up to a lot of stress and late fees. But you don’t have to take over everything all at once. There are several options to reduce risk […]
Preventing caregiver burnout
Some stress is inevitable when caring for a loved one. But unrelenting stress is bad for everyone. Think of a candle. If you leave it lit 24/7, it will quickly burn through. But if you let it rest between periods of use, it will last a long time. You are like that candle. Burnout […]
Do you know their wishes?
Suppose your loved one was unconscious in the midst of a health crisis. If you had to make treatment decisions for them, would you know what to say? Making the choices that are right for your relative requires knowing their preferences in advance. Have you had that conversation with them? Here are some tips: […]
Cleaning out the medicine cabinet
It’s good news when your loved one can switch to a lower dose of a drug or quit a medication altogether. But what should you do with the unwanted pills, patches, or inhalers? Children and pets need to be protected from potentially fatal exposure. Yet chucking everything into the toilet is not recommended. Read […]